Jesus Adame shows his hands as he works on the bottom of a boot. Lucchese CEO Paul LaVoie explains this is one of the most important parts of the process because you don't want a nail or tack coming up the bottom. less

Jesus Adame shows his hands as he works on the bottom of a boot. Lucchese CEO Paul LaVoie explains this is one of the most important parts of the process because you don't want a nail or tack coming up the ... more

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Houston Chronicle

Jesus Adame shows his hands as he works on the bottom of a boot.... Photo-2590909.40238 - Houston Chronicle

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Antonio Garcia installs the pull tabs on a pair of boots with a sewing machine at the Lucchese Boot Company factory in El Paso.

Antonio Garcia installs the pull tabs on a pair of boots with a sewing machine at the Lucchese Boot Company factory in El Paso.

Antonio Garcia installs the pull tabs on a pair of boots with a sewing machine in the Lucchese factory in El Paso. Garcia, who's been with Lucchese for 23 years says he's made boots his entire life and hopes to retire as a boot maker. (Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle) less

Antonio Garcia installs the pull tabs on a pair of boots with a sewing machine in the Lucchese factory in El Paso. Garcia, who's been with Lucchese for 23 years says he's made boots his entire life and hopes to ... more

Jorge Miscles uses his intricate kit of tools to finish assembling a new pair of boots in the Stallion Boots and Leather Goods boot making facility on Feb. 10, 2011, in El Paso. Miscles says he and his colleagues are the last of the boot makers and that he's been making boots his whole life starting as an apprentice in his home city Juarez, Mexico. less

Jorge Miscles uses his intricate kit of tools to finish assembling a new pair of boots in the Stallion Boots and Leather Goods boot making facility on Feb. 10, 2011, in El Paso. Miscles says he and his ... more

Jose Pacheco, a leather sorter, pulls a hide from the leather storage area so cutters can start the boot making process at the Lucchese Boot Company's factory in El Paso. (Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle)

Jose Pacheco, a leather sorter, pulls a hide from the leather storage area so cutters can start the boot making process at the Lucchese Boot Company's factory in El Paso. (Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle)

Pedro Lopez fills his mouth with nails as he quickly puts leather around the toe box of a pair of boots in the Lucchese Boot Company's factory in El Paso. Lopez is a third generation boot maker and has worked with Lucchese for 23 years. less

Pedro Lopez fills his mouth with nails as he quickly puts leather around the toe box of a pair of boots in the Lucchese Boot Company's factory in El Paso. Lopez is a third generation boot maker and has worked ... more

Rocketbuster Boots are made with intricate detail and are unique every time a pair is finished. Different designs are shown in Rocketbuster's showroom in El Paso. (Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle)

Rocketbuster Boots are made with intricate detail and are unique every time a pair is finished. Different designs are shown in Rocketbuster's showroom in El Paso. (Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle)

Rocketbuster Boots are made with intricate detail and are unique... Photo-2590920.40238 - Houston Chronicle

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.40238 - Houston Chronicle

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A small show room of some of Lucchese's most detailed boots shows the craftsmanship put into he product. Lucchese CEO Paul LaVoie says the factory produces 7,500 different designs. (Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle) less

A small show room of some of Lucchese's most detailed boots shows the craftsmanship put into he product. Lucchese CEO Paul LaVoie says the factory produces 7,500 different designs. (Nick de la Torre / Houston ... more

A small show room of some of Lucchese's most detailed boots... Photo-2590921.40238 - Houston Chronicle

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Lucchese Boot Company President and CEO Paul LaVoie shows one of his favorite boots in the Lucchese factory show room in El Paso.

Lucchese Boot Company President and CEO Paul LaVoie shows one of his favorite boots in the Lucchese factory show room in El Paso.

Alberto 'Pato' Mendoza, who's been making boots for 42 years, works on the shaft of a pair of boots in the Rocketbuster Boots workshop in El Paso. Mendoza says he was introduced to boot making by his brother and worked in a factory in Juarez, Mexico. (Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle) less

Alberto 'Pato' Mendoza, who's been making boots for 42 years, works on the shaft of a pair of boots in the Rocketbuster Boots workshop in El Paso. Mendoza says he was introduced to boot making by his brother ... more

Oli, a Chihuahua mix dog, perches himself on a stool as his owner Taylor Hope works on a pair of boots that are destined for Brooklyn, New York. Hope says his job is to finish the boots and make sure that the product is ready to ship. less

Oli, a Chihuahua mix dog, perches himself on a stool as his owner Taylor Hope works on a pair of boots that are destined for Brooklyn, New York. Hope says his job is to finish the boots and make sure that the ... more

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Houston Chronicle

Oli, a Chihuahua mix dog, perches himself on a stool as his owner... Photo-2590926.40238 - Houston Chronicle

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Lucchese has a private show room showing of some of heir best designs on Feb. 9, 2011, in their factory in El Paso. Lucchese CEO Paul LaVoie says that the factory produces 7,500 different styles of boots.

Lucchese has a private show room showing of some of heir best designs on Feb. 9, 2011, in their factory in El Paso. Lucchese CEO Paul LaVoie says that the factory produces 7,500 different styles of boots.

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Houston Chronicle

Lucchese has a private show room showing of some of heir best... Photo-2590927.40238 - Houston Chronicle

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A custom pair of Western boots by RocketBuster boots of El Paso. (RocketBuster)

A custom pair of Western boots by RocketBuster boots of El Paso. (RocketBuster)

A custom pair of Western boots by RocketBuster boots of El Paso.... Photo-2590928.40238 - Houston Chronicle

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.40238 - Houston Chronicle

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Pedro Muñoz, owner of Stallion boots, has a small collection of children's boots, some of which are his own children's, in his home office.

Pedro Muñoz, owner of Stallion boots, has a small collection of children's boots, some of which are his own children's, in his home office.

Pedro Muñoz, owner of Stallion Boots and Leather Goods, says he has high standards when it comes to what goes into making boots and the craftsmanship in a finished product. (Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle) less

Pedro Muñoz, owner of Stallion Boots and Leather Goods, says he has high standards when it comes to what goes into making boots and the craftsmanship in a finished product. (Nick de la Torre / Houston ... more